broken front CV joints?

[RoadBoss]

I haven't really seen this discussed on here yet, but maybe I'm wrong?

Last summer the front of my truck started making a clicking noise when turning fairly sharp in 4WD. Started mostly on the driver side, but now does it on both sides. To me these are the tell-tale signs of a breaking CV. I've been ignoring it for a while, but I'm finally taking it to the dealer next week to have them check it out.

Has anyone here had to deal with this? I saw the other day somewhere that the later year rangers have stronger front axles, anyone know if they will replace the early years with later model CV axles? Just trying to get an idea of what to expect, and if there are any better options.

I do some pretty tough 4WDing with my ranger, so I feel like I'm probably just going to break the CV's again if I get the same ones.

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[GitRDone]

I have no experience with CVs specific to the Ranger, but have worked on many cars with them and it sounds like the issue from your description. Are the boots torn? Check the outer ones especially since being next to the wheels are exposed to more potential hazards.

 

[RoadBoss]

I have no experience with CVs specific to the Ranger, but have worked on many cars with them and it sounds like the issue from your description. Are the boots torn? Check the outer ones especially since being next to the wheels are exposed to more potential hazards.

The boots are still solid. visually everything looks normal under there.

 

[RoadBoss]

well finally took my truck into the dealer on monday, and after having a hell of a time actually talking to anyone there about it, I finally got a screenshot of what appears to be an assessment of this noise - they are calling it "collision damage" which I'm assuming is some scrape marks underneath as they want to replace the lower control arm. they also indicated replacing the "strut upper bearing assembly" which I'm assuming is the upper strut mount - Not sure how they think either of these things are causing a clicking sound that only happens when 4wd is engaged and rolling at a fairly high turning angle.

So, needless to say I'm pretty annoyed and not going to pay them $3k to replace something that I'm 99% sure is not broken.

guess I'll be tackling this one myself...

 

[JesseS]

Either get them from Ford or get complete assemblies from a parts store and do it yourself, not a huge job if you get the fully assembled ones. Sounds like your (S)dealer needs some business, most are just parts changers in any case.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I haven't really seen this discussed on here yet, but maybe I'm wrong?

Last summer the front of my truck started making a clicking noise when turning fairly sharp in 4WD. Started mostly on the driver side, but now does it on both sides. To me these are the tell-tale signs of a breaking CV. I've been ignoring it for a while, but I'm finally taking it to the dealer next week to have them check it out.

Has anyone here had to deal with this? I saw the other day somewhere that the later year rangers have stronger front axles, anyone know if they will replace the early years with later model CV axles? Just trying to get an idea of what to expect, and if there are any better options.

I do some pretty tough 4WDing with my ranger, so I feel like I'm probably just going to break the CV's again if I get the same ones.

Hi Travis,

I recall someone else wondering if the later Ranger had different CVs...but no verification this is true. Not sure if it is unique Tremor parts either...

Possible Benny at Levittown Ford would know or be able to research this. Puzzling...

Best,
Phil

 

[RoadBoss]

So this is all the info I got from them, tried to call about 8 times over the course of 2 days but was never able to get ahold of anyone.
Finally asked about it when picking up the truck today (which btw I just randomly showed up because I couldn't even find out if it was ready to go from the oil change). He told me the "upper strut mount" was cracked. and also that the lower frame mount is bent, and "looks like you go offroading, huh? well whatever you hit somehow went up and cracked the strut mount".

I took a look when I got home... he was talking about the plastic bushing that keeps the dust boot in place -they had popped the boots off to look and not put them back in place. and the lower arm mount is barely bent, I'll be able to hammer this back in 5 minutes, but they wanted to heat it up as well as replace the control arm and bolts?

 

[RoadBoss]

also, this is the sound from my truck.



an advisor rode with me on a test drive and heard the sound, and I thought it was made pretty clear that this sound only happens when turning in 4wd.

Plastic bushings on the shocks would maybe make sense for a clicking sound over bumps, but has nothing to do with a metallic click sound in only 4WD

 

[RoadBoss]

Also, about OEM axles, APG has just informed me that "2021 with S4 tow package" are stronger. Is "s4" a thing or is that supposed to read fx4?

EDIT:
been doing some googling and haven't found a lot, BUT, I did find a few different part numbers for front axles. looks like KB3Z3A427B (427 is for left, and 428 is for right) says fits "with towing package 2"

and KB3Z3A427D or C or E (again 428 for right) says "w/o towing package 2, w/o towing package, or w/ towing package 1"

So I'm kind of assuming that the "B" variation may be the stronger version since it only specifies for "towing package 2" which I'm just guessing would be the predecessor to towing package 1.

https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/v-...iat--2-3l-l4-gas/front-drive-axle--front-axle

would love to find some more details about this though...

 

[D Fresh]

Do you have another dealership you can try?

 

[RoadBoss]

Do you have another dealership you can try?

yeah, there's another nearby, though they left the cap off my cooling system the first time I took it there for an oil change so I'm a little wary of them. I'll probably give it a shot anyway though, and just make sure and tell them it sounds like a CV I guess.

 

[D Fresh]

yeah, there's another nearby, though they left the cap off my cooling system the first time I took it there for an oil change so I'm a little wary of them. I'll probably give it a shot anyway though, and just make sure and tell them it sounds like a CV I guess.

Uggghh, that blows.

Around here all the dealerships have a "Quicklane" for routine maintenance like oil changes and a separate serice/repair department. Hopefully they have better te hs for troubleshooting/repair.

 

[RoadBoss]

Uggghh, that blows.

Around here all the dealerships have a "Quicklane" for routine maintenance like oil changes and a separate serice/repair department. Hopefully they have better te hs for troubleshooting/repair.

actually now that you mention that, the quicklane was the place that left the cooling system cap loose, so maybe the repair department there will be better.

This crap I was dealing with today was at Larry H Miller, which doesn't have a quicklane.

 

[D Fresh]

actually now that you mention that, the quicklane was the place that left the cooling system cap loose, so maybe the repair department there will be better.

This crap I was dealing with today was at Larry H Miller, which doesn't have a quicklane.

Just saw you're in Denver.

I've used Brighton Ford for service, routine/major/warranty, for about 13 years and have been very happy with them.

Might be a drive for you, but might be worth it.

 

[bluemonstr]

Also, about OEM axles, APG has just informed me that "2021 with S4 tow package" are stronger. Is "s4" a thing or is that supposed to read fx4?

EDIT:
been doing some googling and haven't found a lot, BUT, I did find a few different part numbers for front axles. looks like KB3Z3A427B (427 is for left, and 428 is for right) says fits "with towing package 2"

and KB3Z3A427D or C or E (again 428 for right) says "w/o towing package 2, w/o towing package, or w/ towing package 1"

So I'm kind of assuming that the "B" variation may be the stronger version since it only specifies for "towing package 2" which I'm just guessing would be the predecessor to towing package 1.

https://www.fairwayfordparts.net/v-...iat--2-3l-l4-gas/front-drive-axle--front-axle

would love to find some more details about this though...

Did you ever get more info on these parts? Are they interchangeable? I believe I may be running into this issue as well. Just also noted the 'towing package' comment on a couple sites.

TIA!

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